Instrument Proficiency Check

Ground Review

Be prepared to discuss IFR procedures and regulations including:

  1. Part 91, especially subpart B, Flight Rules; subpart C, Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements; and subpart E, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations.
  2. Instrument en route and approach chart interpretation, including Standard Instrument Departures (SID), Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP), Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR), and Area Navigation (RNAV)/Global Positioning System (GPS)/wide area augmentation system (WAAS) procedures.
  3. Obtaining and analyzing weather information, including knowledge of hazardous weather phenomena such as icing and convective activity.
  4. Preflight planning, including aircraft performance, Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) information (including temporary flight restrictions (TFR)), fuel requirements, alternate requirements, and use of appropriate FAA publications such as the Airport/Facility Directory.
  5. Aircraft systems related to IFR operations, including appropriate operating methods, limitations, and emergency procedures due to equipment failure.
  6. Aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment, including characteristics, limitations, operating techniques and emergency procedures due to malfunction or failure, such as lost communications procedures.
  7. Determining the airworthiness of the aircraft for instrument flight, including required inspections and documents.
  8. Air traffic control (ATC) procedures pertinent to flight under IFR with emphasis on elements of ATC clearances and pilot/controller responsibilities.

Flight Activity

During the flight activity, we will accomplish the minimum tasks required in the Instrument Rating PTS, and its likely you will encounter additional tasks such as Lost Communications, and Compliance with Departure, En Route, and Arrival Procedures and Clearances.

IPC Required Tasks (per Instrument Rating PTS).

III. C. Holding Procedures
IV. B. Recovery from unusual attitudes
V. A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs
VI. A. Nonprecision Approach (NPA)
B. Precision Approach (PA)
C. Missed Approach
D. Circling Approach
E. Landing From a Straight-In or Circling Approach
VII. B. One Engine Inoperative During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (Multiengine Airplane)
C. One Engine Inoperative—Instrument Approach (Multiengine Airplane)
D. Approach With Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators
VIII. A. Checking Instruments and Equipment

Preparation

  1. IPC Review Course
    Complete the Instrument Proficiency Check Review Guide at http://www.faasafety.gov. Bring your completion certificate to the review.

  2. Cross-Country Flight Planning

    Plan an IFR cross-country flight to KSTS using this scenario:

    You are flying to Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma Co (KSTS) with a flying enthusiast friend to attend the CAFE Foundation Electric Aircraft Symposium. During the same weekend, there is a Presidential TFR over Santa Rosa (see NOTAM text below), but it is supposed to be lifted prior to your arrival. You are planning for an IFR arrival at KSTS due to the early morning marine layer. You want to arrive in time to hear the first speaker on the agenda, as you’ve been looking forward to hearing his speech all year.

    TFR NOTAM
    Note: The date/time groups in this message will likely not apply to the date and time of your IPC. For scenario purposes, plan that the TFR is expected to lift approximately 15 minutes prior to your planned entry into the 30 NM TFR ring.

    NOTAM : 4/1414

    FDC 4/1414 ZOA PART 1 OF 5 CA..AIRSPACE SANTA ROSA, CA .. TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. APRIL 2, 2014 LOCAL. PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B), THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS 'NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE'. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM: A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 46307; OR 1404022030-1404030200EST END PART 1 OF 5

    FDC 4/1414 ZOA PART 2 OF 5 CA..AIRSPACE SANTA ROSA, CA.. C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT. PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 91.141 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A 30 NMR OF KSTS UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL. EFFECTIVE 1404022030 UTC (1530 LOCAL 04/02/14) UNTIL 1404030200 UTC (2100 LOCAL 04/02/14). WITHIN A 10 NMR OF KSTS TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL. EFFECTIVE 1404022030 UTC (1530 LOCAL 04/02/14) UNTIL 1404022130 UTC (1630 LOCAL 04/02/14). END PART 2 OF 5

    FDC 4/1414 ZOA PART 3 OF 5 CA..AIRSPACE SANTA ROSA, CA.. WITHIN A 10 NMR OF KSTS UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 18000 FT MSL. EFFECTIVE 1404030045 UTC (1945 LOCAL 04/02/14) UNTIL 1404030200 UTC (2100 LOCAL 04/02/14). EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED BELOW AND/OR UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY ATC IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AIR TRAFFIC SECURITY COORDINATOR VIA THE DOMESTIC EVENTS NETWORK (DEN): A. ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE 10 NMR AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE INNER CORE(S), ARE PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR: MILITARY AIRCRAFT DIRECTLY SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE (USSS) AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COORDINATED AND APPROVED LAW ENFORCEMENT, AIR AMBULANCE AND FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL PRIOR TO ENTERING THIS AIRSPACE AT 847-608-5911 TO AVOID POTENTIAL DELAYS. REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL PASSENGER AND ALL-CARGO CARRIERS OPERATING UNDER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TSA-APPROVED STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAMS/PROCEDURES: AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM 1404022030-1404030200EST END PART 3 OF 5

    FDC 4/1414 ZOA PART 4 OF 5 CA..AIRSPACE SANTA ROSA, CA.. (AOSSP), FULL ALL-CARGO AIRCRAFT OPERATOR STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (FACAOSSP), MODEL SECURITY PROGRAM (MSP), TWELVE FIVE STANDARD SECURITY PROGRAM (TFSSP) ALL CARGO, OR ALL-CARGO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PROCEDURE (ACISP) AND ARE ARRIVING INTO AND/OR DEPARTING FROM 14 CFR PART 139 AIRPORTS. B. FOR OPERATIONS WITHIN THE AIRSPACE BETWEEN THE 10 NMR AND 30 NMR AREA(S) LISTED ABOVE, KNOWN AS THE OUTER RING(S): ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING WITHIN THE OUTER RING(S) LISTED ABOVE ARE LIMITED TO AIRCRAFT ARRIVING OR DEPARTING LOCAL AIRFIELDS, AND WORKLOAD PERMITTING, ATC MAY AUTHORIZE TRANSIT OPERATIONS. AIRCRAFT MAY NOT LOITER. ALL AIRCRAFT MUST BE ON AN ACTIVE IFR OR VFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH A DISCRETE CODE ASSIGNED BY AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) FACILITY. AIRCRAFT MUST BE SQUAWKING THE DISCRETE CODE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE TFR AND MUST REMAIN IN TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC. 1404022030-1404030200EST END PART 4 OF 5

    FDC 4/1414 ZOA PART 5 OF 5 CA..AIRSPACE SANTA ROSA, CA.. C. THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITHIN THIS TFR: FLIGHT TRAINING, PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, AEROBATIC FLIGHT, GLIDER OPERATIONS, SEAPLANE OPERATIONS, PARACHUTE OPERATIONS, ULTRALIGHT, HANG GLIDING, BALLOON OPERATIONS, AGRICULTURE/CROP DUSTING, ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL FLIGHT OPERATIONS, BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, SIGHTSEEING OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHTS, RADIO CONTROLLED MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, MODEL ROCKETRY, UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), AND UTILITY AND PIPELINE SURVEY OPERATIONS. D. FAA RECOMMENDS THAT ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATORS CHECK NOTAMS FREQUENTLY FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THIS TFR PRIOR TO OPERATIONS WITHIN THIS REGION. 1404022030-1404030200EST END PART 5 OF 5